Aramark’s new 2025 sustainability plan will likely benefit sellers of sustainable seafood.
The leading U.S.-based provider of food and facilities services recently launched its 2025 sustainability plan, “Be Well. Do Well.”, which is focused on positively impacting people and the planet.
The plan builds upon Aramark’s long-standing Sustainable Seafood Principles and Policy, with which it has made “considerable progress,” Aramark Vice President of Enterprise Sustainability Kathy Cacciola told SeafoodSource.
Since 2014, all of Aramark’s contracted frozen finfish purchases in the U.S. have met Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch recommendations, Cacciola said. And, since 2016, all of the company’s contracted canned skipjack and albacore tuna in the U.S. is sustainably sourced from Marine Stewardship Council-certified fisheries.
“Sustainable seafood programs are also underway in Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom,” Cacciola said.
Part of Aramark’s 2025 sustainability plan is sourcing ethically and inclusively, utilizing small and diverse suppliers. Already, Aramark spends more than USD 1 million (EUR 897,000) with seafood suppliers that are identified as small or diverse, according to Cacciola.
“As we look toward implementation of Aramark’s 2025 sustainability plan, we will continue our work with suppliers to source products that meet the environmental and social requirements detailed in our Policy. With the elevation of our commitment to source ethically and inclusively, we are looking toward partnering with small, diverse suppliers which drives customer satisfaction and local economic impact,” Cacciola said.
Sustainable seafood suppliers that want to partner with Aramark should contact Avendra, Aramark’s procurement and category management group, according to Cacciola.
“Together, we work to ensure we have an inclusive supply chain reflective of the diverse clients, consumers and communities we serve,” Cacciola said.
Aramark’s new “Be Well. Do Well.” plan is built around “people priorities” and “planet priorities.” People priorities means engaging employees, empowering healthy consumers, supporting local communities, and sourcing ethically and inclusively, the company said in a press release. Meanwhile, its planet priorities include sourcing responsibly, operating efficiently, and effectively managing food waste, packaging, emissions, and other activities that could adversely impact the environment and planet.
“We also work to minimize waste that may end up in our oceans by finding new ways to reduce packaging, including single-use plastics, and by promoting recycling efforts across operations,” Cacciola said.
Aramark has reduced its purchases of plastic straws and stirrers by 20 percent over the last year, with a goal to reduce purchases of those plastic products by 60 percent by the end of 2020.
Photo courtesy of Aramark
